while at a dealer looking at yamaha 4wd's I asked about short comings of the front limited slip (limited traction) differential.
The salesman told me that on his kodiak when he gets into a situation when the front tire with no traction starts spinning and the wheel with traction does nothing, he gives a little squeeze on the front brake to get the wheel with traction to engage.
Since it's a given that a salesman will say almost anything to make a sale, I was curious if any of you have tried this and with how much success?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

I have a '00 Wolverine and you can squeeze the front brake to trick the other wheel into pulling. True 4 wheel drive would be nice, but this can help get you out of a tough spot.

 

I have a 2000 Grizzly, and it also has a limited slip, although sometimes it's not very limited. On two occasions, I was close to stuck, off-camber with one front tire spinning freely in the air. A quick squeeze of the brake made the other front tire spin just enogh to move the whole machine forward for a fresh bite into new ground. I have found it works best when you get up some good wheel spin. It helps make the brake pad grab on the spinning wheel, and you'll have some power built up for the short time that the other wheel engages. It can be a tricky thing to do, don't wait too long spinning, or you'll dig too deep and don't give too much brake or you'll just bog down the whole machine since the front and back are locked in togehter. The only way to learn is trial and error.

Good Luck and realize this is a trick that has limited applications, and often limited results, but practice up to add it to your "Bag of Tricks".

Yammer_Hummer
2000 Grizzly, mostly stock, still limited slip, but hey! I have a blast on it.

 

I have a 2000 kodiac and I had also heard the brake trick and have tried it. the results are FORGET IT. first of all if you are in a position where one tire is free wheeling the machine is probably already unsteady and if you think you can squeeze the throttle, balance the machine and squeeze the brake then you are a much better rider than me. In a more timid situation I also tried it and it did nothing but slow me down. (just what the brake is suppose to do) So my advice, for what its worth, Get some good tires, I used the mud sharks, and get speed before hand.

 

Oh it will work, you just have to practice. Of course grabbing a big handfull will slow you down. Just go easy on it.

 

Veteren Truck four wheelers have used this trick for years,however on trucks you dont have independent brake controll. The trick works just not all the time. As posted before, play around with it see what you think. Good Luck & Happy Ridin.

 

While in the limited slip mode on the KQ,using the brake to help out the other wheel did nothing.But thats ok because the KQ will lock up the front end anyhow.====BILL